A wish to P from T that her PT continues on the slowly but surely incline regaining confidence in self powered [ad]ventures.
P accompanied me a few times over last summer on my mind wander cycling episodes. We each share a passion for the outdoors whether its wild or urban and I openly miss the chances to share moments, hours, days, together exploring and testing ourselves mental compatibility when pushing our personal physical endurance. When there are clashes my instinct to flight (ying) often kicks in, and in turn triggers her to fight (yang). It can get messy, but she has greater self awareness and is open about herself enabling her vulnerable to the riches of love as a great reward while I have a history of burying 'stuff', steadily building a wall that blocks other (relationships) in who might have a honest care and interest in my life. She said (past tense) I was worth it, and while that would be enough for most healthy minded folk, I fail to register it, not believing in myself that I am worth love and care from another. Name it shame. This shame in turn hurts others I want to love, keeping them at a 'safe' distance. That pain hits a threshold and she walks away, oddly triggering a fight reaction from me. Turns out I love her.
Previous to this last few days of riding around Northwest Oregon, we had some memorable rides together like celebrating a toe numbing new years eve bike ride featuring a pit stop to bargain a deal for some roman candles and other firework favorites outside the Clearwater Casino outside of Bainbridge Island.
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| Closing out 2015 with a 50 ferry to ferry firecracker loop |
Over last spring we shared an impromto overnight in a teepee on Vashon Is feasting on take n bake pepporoni pizza, buttermilk pancakes and cookies n cream ice cream purchased last minute from a closing Thriftway. All those quality calories can lead to alot of energy. So much energy that it can jeoperdize one's balance on a bike and tipping over turns out. I have constantly been impressed with P's ability to tune out the surrounding environment and tune into herself. Deep arm/hand bruise and all, she keeps riding. Over and back the Narrows. It turned out to be a multi transporation weekend utilizing bike to ferry (Ballard to Fauntleroy), bike to another ferry ( Vashon to Point Defiance), bike to bus (Tacoma to Seattle). Semi Pro tip: Puget Sound not ideal for 'icing' a swollen extremity.
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| Island Teepee destination |
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| Ice Skating on Fisher Pond is not a Vashon Park District Sanction Activity, said sign. |
Bkfast of Champs
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| Thank you Multicare of West Tacoma for being open Sunday's |
Down, but not out.
A month or so later, we tried more so a planned overnighter to a slice of Puget Sound that would be new to both of us, Marrowstone Island and Fort Flagler State Park. For me I've always bypassed this finger jetting out of the NE corner of the OP as I'm either continuing around the heart of the OP or connecting to a ferry via Pt Townsend. Sticking with our (mandatory?) ferry ride trends we set out on an increasingly overcast Saturday morning north to the Edmonds ferry. We were both sporting new bike packery setups which added to the fun. Clouds started spitting light precip as we cruised through Port Ludlow, a little more than half way to the park. Taking shelter for a few to warm up and snack up at the local Nordland general store/post office with fire place and rocking chairs. The coveted NE OP rain shadow was not cooperating this afternoon, nonetheless the rain let up upon arrival to the park allowing us to setup camp (one man tent rainfly), eat, and explore a bit of the historic park beach and battery sites under mystic grey skies with views of Pt Townsend to the NW. The ride back to the overpopulated mainland was damp in the morning, but dried up by afternoon. P and I swam through another battle of minds which lead to some dark moments. Why this keeps occurring is frustrating for both of us with the aftermath littered with regret.
Desiring to keep riding to maybe clear my mind, P kindly drove me to North Bend where I would spend the next 3 nights looping East across the Cascades to Ellensburg south along the gravel Umptanum Rd through Wenas to Naches and back West via Chinook Pass. P's family had arrived in town later that week to celebrate her next life chapter post grad school and we all attended the school's formal ceremony.
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| Snoqualmie tunnel |
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| Along Umptanum Rd with Tahoma poking up in the background |
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| Chinooky Pass environs | | | | | | |
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| A genuine stoke for family |
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| Currently accepting new clients | | |
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P and family set out for a PNW experience amongst the San Juan's and I set back out on the bicycle south bound using the Cascade crest as a handline to the Columbia River. Crossing into the Beaver State I followed the
Outback Route to Prineville, then slowly picked my way West to Eugene. A good friend, M, lives in Eugene and I ended up maybe staying longer than initially expected. Thank you, M. Riding a few multi day trips exploring the southern Willamette Valley, Central Oregon Cascades, Coastal Mountain Range and Coast line, I grew a greater appreciation for the area and vast opportunities yet to be checked out. P drove down and met me two separate times. The first was a meetup was outside the Horton Market. The idea was to camp at the nearby Reservoir, but earlier that afternoon I stumbled upon the Goldson Community Center advertising a free ice cream social. Pulling off into the parking lot, I was flagged down by a fellow asking if I needed a place to stay for the night. We chat for a bit, and got directions to his property a few miles down the road. Upon meeting up with P later that afternoon, I brought up this alternative overnight arrangement which included the option of ANOTHER TEEPEE that is setup on the property. With that in information, we deviated from our original plan, and we off to seek out our teepee.
The next morning following a homemade breakfast courtesy of our host we both set out on our bikes for a nice mix of gravel and pavement in the Coastal Mountains. P was rocking her trusty road bike with standard skinny tires and while this might prove to be a no go for many other people riding this mixed road surface, P soldiers on. Sure there can be some frustrations along the way like the occasional wheel sliding out from loose gravel, but P rolls on. P embodies many fine qualities and this is an example of one that I particularly admire with her enthusiasm to partake in new activities without question using the gear she's got making it work.
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| Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests |
As if she hadn't had enough of me quite yet (or maybe she just was drawn to Oregon), P made another drive down the 5 a week later with bike in tow to meet me at a campground in the Clatsop State Forest which borders the Tillamook State Forest in the heart of the Coastal Mountain Range. I had been slowly picking my way north through this heavily forested mountain range in hopes of connecting lesser traveled gravel roads and trails to the Columbia. I roll up to the campground in the early evening to find P in all too familiar position... lounging campside nose deep in a book. A self proclaimed book nerd (my words... she sports an xtra large 'READ' sticker on her Nalgene bottle) this is another admiration I have of her. Regardless of whether she's days deep in the wilderness on foot or cruising the city streets by bike she's brought a book along (hardcover even). It helps fills the time when I have gone quiet (which is often). We pass on the tent, and sleep under the stars that night. In the morning P meets me at a nearby general store where she trades gas powered transportation for calories powered transportation. I'm no help with her strategic packing as I'm selfishly concentrated on stuffing my face with breakfast pastries. I can be a big pain often putting P in uncomfortable positions with the intent of learning how to do things on her own whether its skinning a steep slope with tight switchbacks on crappy snow and tricky tree wells or straight up leaving when we clash heads (regardless of the environment). This is on me and want to work on it to be there rather than checking out and fleeing, literally.
The days objective is to finish the journey to the Oregon/Washington border. The first 15 miles from the store are along a busy highway that isn't very pleasant by bicycle. In order to get off this noisy pavement sooner than later we attempt a route through private timber lands but get turned around by land managers on site. Lose some, win some. Back along the blacktop and peak heat of the day the going is slow, noisy, and warmer than ideal. But we find oasis at the turnoff to the forested easement road leading 7 miles uphill to Saddle Mountain. I'm beat by the heat and lounge in the creek while P pedals on uphill. We reach the trailhead parking lot an hour and a half before sunset. There are some designated camping sites at the parking lot. The route I had mapped out was another 12 miles of unknown private timber land road conditions/encounters to a paved public road. On the plus side, the 12 miles looked like a gentle downhill grade from where we were perched. I suggested we press on thinking we could cover the 12 miles before it gets dark enough for light assistance. The gamble payed off as we hit pavement before dark and cruised into marine cooled air Astoria by 22:00.
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| 7 mile joyride uphill to Saddle Mountain |
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| Tentative gravel downhills on skinny tires |
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| Looking back at Saddle Mountain |
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| Chasing daylight along Youngs River |
Waking up to overcast marine layer in Fort Stevens State Park, the morning's activities are in no rush. We tour the park roads leading out along the spit and take in the sights of where the Pacific and Columbia unite.
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| Map of Fort Stevens Park |
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| Pacific jetty |
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| Washington across the Columbia |
Bikes loaded, we pedal south along the 101 with intention of camping down towards Newhalem, some 40 miles away, but I feel my legs are not having it today and I admit mental fatigue and I'm content with rolling back the few miles to Fort Stevens chill out for the day; try again tomorrow. P jumps in, suggesting Seaside as an alternative end point for the day (a mere 14 miles away). I'm hesitant because I'm unaware of free or cheap camping options around Seaside, but P is more travel savy and soon enough finds a hostel and books a room. P is awfully sweet in that I feel she gives much more of herself to our relationship than I and it sadly gets overlooked until circumstances between us change. On this day, I am awoken thanks to P and a hot, soapy-shower.
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| Seaside Intl Hostel welcomes stinky bikers |
I credit P for the rejuvinated body the next morning. We are rolling southbound early morning to avoid the rarely summer forecasted south wind. There's a local discounted food store in Nehalem that sells packaged food beyond its advertised 'best by' date. Semi pro tip #2: Pass on the boxed soup.
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| Pedal fast through narrow tunnels |
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| The Pacific is out there somewhere beneath the fog |
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| Cruising the 101 through Oswald State Park |
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| Theres something in the air at Nehalem Bay State Park |
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| Abandoned RR @ Batterson. I believe there's an attempt to convert this into a rail trail |
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| Nehalem Falls |
Keep your eyes on this view
Can we go do this again?
How much sorrow can I take?
Blackbird on my shoulder
And what difference does it make
When this love is over?
Shall I sleep within your bed
River of unhappiness
Hold your hands upon my head
'Til I breathe my last breath
Oh, oh woe-oh-woah is me
The last time that you touched me
Oh, will wonders ever cease?
Blessed be the mystery of love
- Sufjan Stevens
